---
id: PLN-0097
ticket: vm-render-parallel-execution-boundary
title: Add Async Render Integration Test Matrix
status: open
created: 2026-06-05
ref_decisions: [DEC-0031]
tags: [runtime, renderer, tests, integration]
---

## Briefing

`DEC-0031` spans packet correctness, resource boundaries, handoff, pacing, AppMode policy, epoch ownership, telemetry, and failure behavior. These need integration coverage across plans.

## Objective

Create an integration test matrix that proves the async render boundary contracts work together and prevents regressions while plans are implemented incrementally.

## Dependencies

- Source decision: `DEC-0031`.
- This plan can start early as test scaffolding and expand as other plans land.

## Scope

- Define a test matrix mapping each `DEC-0031` invariant to at least one test.
- Add reusable fixtures for Game2D submissions, Shell UI submissions, stale epoch, handoff replacement, and frame repeat.
- Ensure tests run in local/synchronous mode and, when available, worker mode.

## Non-Goals

- Do not require real hardware backend.
- Do not require visual screenshot testing unless the existing test stack already supports it.
- Do not test `DSC-0041` foreground stack semantics.

## Execution Method

1. Build a matrix with rows for each decision invariant.
2. Identify existing tests that already cover rows.
3. Add missing tests as focused runtime/renderer integration tests.
4. Add helpers to construct deterministic submissions and resource IDs.
5. Run matrix in synchronous mode first.
6. Add worker-mode variants when `PLN-0095` exists.

## Acceptance Criteria

- Each `DEC-0031` invariant has at least one automated or explicitly documented validation.
- Test fixtures distinguish Game and Shell policies.
- Tests cover stale epoch discard, latest-wins replacement, repeated present, render error telemetry, and active-scene overlay.
- The matrix is referenced by later implementation plans.

## Tests

- This plan is itself test-focused.
- Required categories: packet composition, handoff, pacing, AppMode policy, epoch, telemetry, shutdown/failure.

## Affected Artifacts

- Runtime/renderer integration tests.
- Test fixtures/helpers.
- Any existing CI test grouping that needs to include the new tests.